News

McDonnell Testimony: Marital Strain, Driving Fast Car

Former Governor Bob McDonnell downplayed the significance of his joy ride in a Ferrari owned by a former CEO of a dietary supplement maker. McDonnell said it was fun to drive the sports car back to Richmond from a free vacation at the businessman’s Smith Mountain Lake house, and he saw it as no “big deal.” Jurors have been shown several photos of McDonnell driving the Ferrari, which is one the world’s most expensive sports cars. Testimony yesterday (Thursday) also addressed the former first couple’s marital woes, including an email to McDonnell’s wife, Maureen, written in an effort to save their marriage. In another email, he wrote that he was at a loss to deal with his wife’s anger. The defense says the McDonnells’ marriage was broken to the point that they were barely speaking, which makes a a criminal conspiracy impossible. The McDonnells face prison time if convicted of giving special treatment to Jonnie Williams in exchange for more than $165,000 dollars worth of lavish gifts and loans.